Commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) can weigh anywhere from 10,000 to 80,000 pounds. They also tend to be hard to maneuver and highly regulated. Drivers must apply for a special license called a commercial driver’s license (CDL) before they can legally drive a CMV, and this application usually requires a knowledge of how to handle such a large vehicle during normal driving and during emergency situations.
CMV drivers are some of the safest drivers in the nation because they are in charge of some of the most dangerous vehicles on the road. For this reason, most states who encounter a negligent truck driver caught with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) over the legal limit tend to punish them more severely than passenger car drivers. Nevada is no different.
Any CMV driver who is pulled over and arrested for a BAC of 0.04% or more can be charged and convicted of a driving under the influence (DUI). Even with a BAC lower than the legal limit, commercial drivers can still be arrested for a Las Vegas DUI as long as the alcohol has affected their driving ability.
A first-time conviction of a Nevada DUI can cause a driver’s CDL to be suspended for one year. However, if the driver was transporting hazardous materials at the time of his or her arrest, he or she could face a license suspension of up to three years. A second DUI conviction will result in a permanent CDL revocation. This punishment is added to all standard DUI penalties, which include fines, jail time, and possibly a substance abuse treatment program.
If you’re a CMV driver facing a DUI charge, do your best to avoid a conviction. Talk to our skilled Las Vegas DUI attorneys about your case as soon as possible. The faster we learn about your situation, the more time we can spend on your defense. Let The Draskovich Law Group, Chtd see what it can do to prevent the loss of your livelihood.
Contact us at (702) 381-6590 or fill out our online form to schedule a free case consultation today.